Scripture standout: Philippians 3: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,"
John 15: "12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
His Deed/The Day: I was asked to speak to a 4th grade reading/writing class at Windy Hill Elementary School today by one of the Teachable Moments teachers. An easy yes! On the way into what I thought would be the classroom, the teacher explained to me that it was not just his class — but all the fourth-graders. We were headed into the auditorium! 80 kids! Lord! I immediately broke into pit sweat — I may have lost time for a few seconds. But thankfully I was able to pull myself together and give a presentation that I hope encouraged some kids to stick to their writing.
I'd bet not too many people know about Windy Hill Elementary School. It's tucked away off Beach and Southside boulevards near that funky dinosaur statue from the old putt-putt course. The kids who go there live in a declining neighborhood and many of them come from families who are homeless, jobless, hungry or don't speak English. Yet, here's this positive little school functioning on an A level right in the middle of it all. In addition to being led by a savvy and optimistic principal, the teachers there are are all loving, committed individuals who adore their jobs and their students. Windy Hill, however, is not succeeding because of who's standing up in front of the class. Windy Hill is bolstered by an overwhelming outpouring of support from the community — neighborly deeding, if you will! CrossRoad Church, while maintaining proper boundaries between church and state, sponsors backpacks and supplies for each child who comes in to the school unprepared. They've built a community center at the school and also stock a school food pantry — 40 families receive sustenance from the food pantry every two weeks, discreetly and with gratitude. Deutsch Bank is building a reading garden on the humble little campus. Talk about deeds — it's happening daily and with vigor at Windy Hill! The school is a tangible example of what happens when a community steps up to provide love, support and basic needs to their neighbors — kids are happy, families are nourished and students succeed on an A level. Got time, treasure or talents? Why not ask a school leader how your offering can help their students succeed?
Tonight, we're housing two boys from the American Boychoir.
They're coming through Jacksonville on their Florida-Georgia tour and are performing tonight at All Saints. It's a short term commitment — just an overnight visit. Seems like nothing compared to the six-weeks +++ of Solace guests! Several families from our church were asked to host some boys, and it was hard to think of a reason to say no.
Deedsclosure: Places of worship, schools, nonprofit projects and volunteer organizations are fertile ground for deeding because they are ALWAYS looking for eager beavers with raised hands! But beware — saying yes yields a full plate before you have time to take two steps back! Other places ripe for do-gooding include public areas, airports, shopping areas, restaurants and stores — there are plenty of opportunities to hold doors, pick up things that fall on the ground or tell someone how nice they look. Your email, Facebook and nonprofit websites are also rich. They make it easy to reach out and show someone a little love — especially when it's bedtime and you've been a slacker deeder. (I speak from many nights of experience!)
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